By Abena Rockcliffe
Traitor! That, and other insults were hurled the way of former President Donald Ramotar when he spoke about the United States’ actions against Venezuela and its former President Nicolas Maduro. To many Guyanese, it did not matter that Ramotar’s critique of the US was rooted in principle and observance of international law. As Ramotar’s critics saw it, Maduro was the enemy. He constantly threatened to covet Guyana’s territory and, therefore, there was nothing to condemn.
But what is the excuse now for Cuba? Why is it not a big deal for Guyanese that our country is not standing with Cuba? Guyana does not have to get into the politics of it. But no helping hand is even being extended.
Guyana has broken off the contract with Cuba for its medical brigade. This comes on the heels of the US calling the long-standing arrangement—one from which Guyana has benefited tremendously—human trafficking.
The Minister of Health, Frank Anthony attempted not to make a big deal of the cancellation. He was quoted some weeks back in the Stabroek News saying that the Cuban doctors are coming to Guyana on their own volition and are able to work.
Beyond that, America has put a ban on Cuba. The island is starved of fuel. Planes cannot even refuel on the island and at least one country, Canada, has stopped flights to Cuba.
The fuel crisis has triggered several others. Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Chair and Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Terrance Drew said that it is almost impossible not to feel the pain conveyed to him by Cubans with whom he developed personal ties during his seven years studying on the island.
Stabroek News reported PM Drew conveying, “food has become terribly scarce, access to water is challenging, garbage fills the streets, and houses are without electricity.” The Cuban trained doctor turned politician called on his colleagues in CARICOM to address the humanitarian crisis in Cuba. He warned, “A destabilized Cuba will affect the whole region.”
Dr. Drew announced that CARICOM has decided to send humanitarian aid to Cuba. It would be interesting to know what were the other factors considered by CARICOM when discussing support for Cuba. Was the repercussion for other Caribbean states the main consideration when deciding whether to help the people of Cuba? Not the years of friendship shared? Not the many times Cuba stepped in and proved herself? Not the fact that, as Mottley said about a year ago, “We (the Caribbean) could not get through the pandemic without the Cuban nurses and the Cuban doctors”?
The pandemic is fresh enough for all to remember. But former Foreign Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee reminded of another experience. One particular to Guyana. In a Facebook post, Rohee recalled that British Guiana under the 1957-1964 PPP government faced an air and sea blockade. “I refer to the year 1963, when the weapon of an air and sea blockade was used against the Jagan-led PPP government.” Rohee recalled that Cuba was also facing its own battles resulting from measures imposed by the US, but still stood with Guyana, helping us out of a shower of rain.
Faced with a total blockade, Dr Cheddi Jagan made an appeal to Cuba for help. Cuba responded positively and promptly, but storage was a problem. Rohee noted that in his book, The West on Trial, Dr Jagan went on to disclose that, ‘The US government refused the use of their storage tanks at Ramsburg.’ In response, the “Government resorted to the use of storage tanks at the electricity corporation in Georgetown and New Amsterdam.’
Rohee said that, soon enough, a Cuban tanker ‘MV Cuba’ arrived in Georgetown with fuel and gasoline’ thus breaking the fuel blockade. Later, in July, a Russian vessel arrived at Port Georgetown ‘with flour thus breaking the food blockade’.
If we accept that a friend in need is a friend indeed, then Cuba has a track record that makes her worthy of that title.
Why is Guyana not reciprocating? It is well understood that the US has its fight with Cuba. In fact, President Donald Trump has been quoted by Reuters saying that the US is considering a “friendly takeover” of Cuba, and that Secretary of State, Marco Rubio is exploring that at a “very high level.” The same Rubio who was present at the CARICOM Heads’ Summit.
But, can Guyana not say, the US is our friend and partner for development and we share a rich history with Cuba and also call her friend? And that, therefore, we will not get involved in the fight, but can help our friend? Is such diplomacy no longer possible?
Rohee noted in his Facebook post, “Guyana has always voted at the United Nations in favour of resolutions rejecting the US imposed blockade of Cuba. Now is the time for action. Since fuel is now to be made available ‘for commercial and humanitarian use’, it follows that food, medicine and other essentials can be dispatched from Guyana to Cuba as a humanitarian gesture.”
I am Abena Rockcliffe and I support that suggestion. Lest Guyana cements the growing reputation of not standing for anything outside her own needs.
